Endometriosis vs Adenomyosis

Written by Acupuncturist Maddy Lou

These two diseases are very similar, and so there can often be some confusion when people are navigating symptoms and trying to gather enough information for a diagnosis. The most obvious difference between the two, is the location of where the endometrial tissue grows.

 In both diseases, endometrial tissue grows outside of the endometrium, which can cause chronic pelvic pain (CPP), heavy bleeding, menstrual pain, IBS, infertility, depression, anxiety and fatigue. Both diseases can also be completely asyptomatic (have no obvious symptoms at all).

We’ll compare the main differences in characteristics in the lists below:

Adenomyosis

Endometriosis

Whats common to both Endo & Adeno 

- Both are associated with exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (found in many pesticides, preservatives in food and cosmetic products).  
- Both are associated with gut and genitourinary dysbiosis (which means the microbiome in these areas has become unbalanced).
- Both are oestrogen-dependent diseases. This means that the lesions found in endo and adeno patients contains oestrogen receptors, and so the progression of the disease is responsive to the cyclical fluctuations of oestrogen (your menstrual cycle). But unlike the lining of the uterus, these lesions don’t shed every time menstruation occurs. Therefore they become like ‘wounds that don’t heal’. 

Endometriosis & adenomyosis are both multi-factorial, chronic conditions, with a complex list of variable symptoms & clinical presentations. The diseases are so common & symptoms so variable (well beyond periods and fertility), which needs to be considered. This is whyholistic health care models such as Chinese Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture, naturopathy and nutritional medicine are so valuable in managing the symptoms of Endo & Adeno.

Clinical outcomes are usually gradual, but a thoroughand collaborative approach reliably leads to better management for pain, heavy menstrual bleeding and fertility